VFW Auxiliary 5362

08/24/2026

📣 Calling All Middle & High School Students! 🇺🇸

The VFW’s annual Patriot’s Pen and Voice of Democracy scholarship competitions are officially open for the 2026–2027 school year!

This year, both competitions share the theme:

🇺🇸 “What a Veteran Taught Me About America.”

📝 Patriot’s Pen
Open to students in grades 6–8. Students submit a 300–400 word written essay for the opportunity to earn local, state, and national awards. The national first-place winner receives $5,000!

🎙️ Voice of Democracy
Open to students in grades 9–12. Students prepare and record an audio essay based on the annual theme. Nearly $1.6 million in scholarships and incentives are awarded through the program, with the national first-place winner receiving a $35,000 scholarship!

📅 Entry Deadline: October 31, 2026

🔗 Contest descriptions, rules, and applications:
https://www.vfw.org/community/youth-and-education/youth-scholarships

📬 APPLICATION DROP-OFF

Completed applications may be dropped off at Table Rock VFW Post 5362 & Auxiliary:

📍 529 Hopewell Rd.
Morganton, NC 28655

📅 Wednesdays
⏰ 4:00–9:00 PM

Need to arrange a different drop-off time or have questions? Please contact:

🇺🇸 Post Commander Mark Shell
📞 828-493-7079

🇺🇸 Auxiliary President Heather Shell
📞 828-514-5560

We encourage our local students, parents, teachers, homeschool families, JROTC programs, and youth organizations to share this opportunity! These programs give young people a chance to reflect on patriotism, veterans, and what America means to them while competing for scholarships and recognition at the local, state, and national levels. ❤️🤍💙

Please share and help us reach as many Burke County students as possible!

If you are a democracy-loving high school student interested in a $30,000 college scholarship or a patriotic middle school student interested in winning $5,000, these scholarships may be for you.

08/15/2026

Members of our Auxiliary and Table Rock VFW 5362 assisted Sleep In Heavenly Peace for a day of service. We built twin beds for children in Burke County ages 3-17 without one. Sleep in Heavenly Peace - NC, Morganton

08/07/2026

Today, on Purple Heart Day, we pause to honor the brave men and women who were wounded or gave their lives in defense of our nation.

The Purple Heart is one of our nation’s oldest and most revered military decorations. It represents extraordinary courage, sacrifice, and an unwavering commitment to protecting the freedoms we enjoy every day.

As members of the VFW Auxiliary to Table Rock VFW Post 5362, we are proud to stand beside our combat-wounded veterans and the families who have carried the burdens of service alongside them. Their sacrifices will never be forgotten.

Today, we encourage our community to take a moment to remember those who bear the scars of war—both visible and invisible—and to thank every Purple Heart recipient for their selfless service to our country.

💜 “All gave some. Some gave more.”

07/30/2026

All Gone! The community rallied and all 50 backpacks have been handed out! Still cutting hair until 4.

Please join us this Saturday, August 1st from 2-6pm at Table Rock VFW 5362 529 Hopewell Rd, Morganton NC 28655.

07/18/2026

📚✏️ Help Us Fill Backpacks!🇺🇸

Stop by Staples in Morganton today between 11:00 AM and 4:00 PM and help support the Table Rock VFW Post 5362 & Auxiliary Back-to-School Drive benefiting students throughout Burke County!

We’ll have volunteers on site collecting school supply donations that will go directly to local children during our Back to School Bash on August 1st.

Already headed to Staples? You’re in luck—they have some fantastic back-to-school sales happening now, making it the perfect time to pick up a few extra supplies to donate. Every notebook, pack of pencils, folder, or box of crayons helps make a difference for a local student.

❤️ Together, we can help ensure every child starts the school year prepared and confident.

📍 Staples – Morganton
🕚 Today | 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Thank you for supporting Burke County students and helping our veterans continue serving our community. We hope to see you there!

06/21/2026

06/16/2026

Please come out and see us and all of the other organizations!

06/15/2026

Congratulations members on a successful year and 2nd place Buddy Poppy Program/National Home in the Department of NC!!!

05/22/2026

Our auxiliary placed flags with comrades from Table Rock VFW 5362 and Freedom High School JROTC.